HOT MUSHROOM AND PEPPERONI PIZZA DIP

HOT MUSHROOM AND PEPPERONI PIZZA DIP Base 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup sour cream (light or full fat) Pizza Topping 1 cup pizza sauce (see notes for fast homemade pizza sauce recipe) 1/2 cup pepperoni, roughly diced 1/3 cup onion, diced (brown, white, yellow or red) 1/2 cup mushrooms, roughly diced Cheese topping 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated 1/2 cup tasty cheese, grated (or any other melting cheese with flavour) (see notes) 12 slices pepperoni Garlic Toast 2 french sticks, cut into slices 2 clove garlics, halved (skin on) Preheat oven to 350. Heat a non stick fry pan over high heat. Add the diced pepperoni and fry for 1 minute until it starts to brown. Then add the onions and sauté for 1 minute. Then add the mushrooms and cook for 30 seconds. Remove onion mixture from the fry pan and place onto a plate with a paper towel (to drain the excess fat). Combine the Base ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth and combined. Spread the Base in a 20 cm / 8 inch base with a 24 cm / 9 inch rim pie dish. Spread the pizza sauce over the Base, then sprinkle with the onion mixture. Sprinkle over the tasty cheese, then the mozzarella cheese. Place sliced pepperoni over the cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Check it at 15 minutes. Serve immediately with Garlic Toast. Garlic Toast Spread french stick slices on 2 baking trays (or one very large one). Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until crispy and lightly browned. Remove from oven and rub each piece lightly with the cut side of the garlic. NOTES Quick Pizza Sauce - combine the following in a small saucepan: 1½ cups tomato passata (tomato puree), ¼ tsp salt (or to taste), ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp garlic powder, black pepper. Bring to simmer over medium heat then lower heat to low. Let simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. It will reduce to 1 cup. Use as per recipe directions. No Cook Fast Pizza Sauce - combine the following in a bowl: ½ cup tomato paste, ½ cup tomato passata (tomato puree), 1 garlic clove (minced), ½ tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano. ½ tsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt (or to taste) and black pepper. Mix until combined. Use as per recipe directions. The purpose of the tasty cheese is to add salt and flavour to the cheesy topping because Mozzarella cheese does not have a strong flavour and also is low in salt. I usually bake the Garlic Toast in the oven while I am preparing the dip (even while the oven is still coming to temperature). Then I remove it and rub with garlic, pile them all onto one baking tray and pop it back into the oven just before the dip is ready to rewarm the bread. It reheats very well and reinvigorates the garlic flavour.